The class have come up with their own mini-company Klassy Krew Kompany, and have been making and selling the reindeer food. All proceeds from the project will go towards Barnardos and buying new jigsaws for the school’s senior infant class.

The food, which is made from secret ingredients, is being sold in both the school and O’Brien’s Cloughleigh, with strict instructions on how to use it. The food should only be left out on Christmas Eve as it helps Santa’s reindeer to fly and it should not be given to ordinary reindeer in case they fly away.

Teacher Joe Garry explained, “The pupils are divided into four groups, finance, marketing, sales and design. Everybody in the class is involved. Lawrence O’Brien from O’Brien’s Shop in Cloughleigh came to us with an idea to raise money for charity and we are delighted to be involved.

“The children have been learning a lot from this experience, they have all been very enthusiastic about this and they are learning a lot about the different components of business. This is just something a bit different. Who knows, there might be a budding entrepreneur among the class.”

Eleven-year-old Gabrielle Pereira is part of the sales team and has been going from class to class selling the food. “I’ve really enjoyed working on this project. It’s fun to go to the classes and see everyone’s faces when we bring the food. I’ve learned a lot from this.”

It isn’t just the children of the class who are benefiting from the experience. “The class picked Barnardos to raise funds for because of their work with children and our senior infant classes jigsaws were ruined when a water tank burst a few weeks ago so half the money will go to replacing them,” said Mr Garry.

He added, “The whole school have bought into the idea and parents have been very supportive of it. Sales are ongoing and we are encouraging as many people as possible to get into the Christmas spirit and buy some reindeer food.”